18. Fall Down...Go Boom

In the early fall of 1985 we moved from Texas (bad mistake) back to Topeka and had fallen in with evil companions once more. Just lucky that way, I suppose. Judy had her beautiful black 1983 Yamaha Venture all cleaned up and it was striking! She had spent hours working with toothbrushes and Q-tips cleaning every little crevice and seam. Jet black, spotless, with rose red pin striping and loaded with tasteful chrome accessories, the effect was striking! Combined with this and completing her ensemble was a new black and tan riding suit with a ruby red helmet. A good looking motorcycle chick!

We rode through the colorful Kansas countryside with a group of our new acquaintances and had just crossed the Clinton Dam headed for the south end of Lawrence for a coffee stop. We came to the intersection where we would turn left and, of course, there was the obligatory stop sign. Judy pulled up to the intersection and came to a complete stop, looked both ways and just fell over! Just like the little guy on Laugh-In with his tricycle! I heard Scott say, “Oh, no! That beautiful bike!”

I put the kickstand down and parked. Scott and I were off like a shot...dashing to the intersection! Others did the same, all converging on Judy and her bike, which was lying on it’s side. Several of us immediately righted the bike and began to inspect it for damage. About that time we heard a testy shout from Judy. “Excuse me! Would someone please help me get up? I may be hurt too, you know!” Oops. Guess this illustrates where the priorities are.

We asked her what happened that caused her to fall over in such a way? Well, it was this cursed new riding suit! It had a strap that went under her boot to keep the pant legs secured and the one on the left was loose enough to work it’s way under the foot peg. When she tried to raise her foot off the peg and place it on the ground, it held her foot fast on the peg! Hence...the fall. Fortunately, she wasn’t injured, but the bike suffered a few minor scratches and required some cosmetic repair which Judy applied as soon as we got home.

What they say about riders loving their bikes is 100% true. Listen, folk! Scratches and broken body parts will heal up; injuries to the bike don’t heal! The first thing a rider will ask after a mishap is “How’s my bike?” And this is clearly documented in our next story. Read on...